INTRODUCTION

It can be really confusing to know how to properly look after your skin, and you're constantly being flooded with different suggestions and various products. This makes it extremely difficult to know where to start.

So, to help you out, we created this Total Skin Care infographic. It's a comprehensive guide that helps you to improve the quality of your skin whilst dispelling a few beauty myths along the way!

HOW TO IDENTIFY YOUR SKIN TYPE

We know how important your skin is to you, and using the right skincare products is crucial to it's appearance.

The very first step you should take, before heading out to the store and spending your hard earned money, is finding out your skin type.

Without this you risk buying a product that’s simply not right for you, and in the long run, you can do more harm than good.

To help you identify your type we've outlined 4 common skin types below:

OILY

Oily skin tends to look greasy, and/or shiny, especially in the middle of the face and on the forehead. You may have larger pores and signs of acne.

Acne is as much of a pain at 40 as at 20, or in your teens. Except now you're battling the breakouts, as well as lines and the dreaded wrinkles.

Pay extra attention to the labels as most anti-ageing products out there assume that your skin is dry. And these products could be too rich for your skin.

And if you haven’t noticed any signs of ageing just yet, ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and glycerine salicylic acid work great! They're usually marketed for acne, but work really well with oily skin.

It's still important to moisturise twice a day – morning and night – although avoid using the moisturiser on the t zone (forehead, nose and chin).

COMBINATION

Combination skin is when some parts of your face are oily and some parts get dry and flaky. It can be quite tricky to treat as it’s a little bit different for everyone regardless of your age.

You may experience combination skin because of genetics, using the wrong skincare products or a whole host of other factors.

A good example of this could be using products containing irritating ingredients. These can stimulate oil production around your forehead, nose and chin, but at the same time create more dry skin and redness on the rest of your face.

You will need to make sure you don't use products that make matters worse. It's critical to only use well-formulated products designed for the mix of skin types you have.

Look out for hydrating products which are ‘oil free’. Alternatively, you could use different products on different parts of your face.

DRY

With dry skin your pores are almost invisible, your complexion looks dull, you experience red patches and lines are more visible to the eye.

Your skin tends to flake, crack or peel, and it can also become very itchy and irritated.

It’s most common in mature skin due to fewer natural oils, sun damage and decreased cell renewal. Although, you can experience dry skin at any age.

Look out for a rich formula, preferably enriched with olive or jojoba oils as these are perfect for locking in moisture.

NORMAL

With normal skin you'll experience the odd blemish, your skin feels comfortable, it'll have few imperfections and you'll have a radiant complexion. Yes, you’re one of the lucky few!

Your aim when choosing products should be to protect and maintain your skin. Make sure to use gentle products with formulas rich in antioxidants and protective properties.

SKINCARE ROUTINE

Now that you know your skin type, and you've picked a suitable product for your skin, you need a few tips to perfect your skincare routine. Have a look at the steps below, and make sure to check out a few of our very own essential ingredients your skincare regime needs!

CLEANSE

Wash skin with lukewarm water

Use a suitable cleanser on your face

Rinse your cleanser off and gently pat skin with a soft towel

EXFOLIATE

Wet face with warm water and rinse

Gently pat skin dry with a soft towel

Rub the exfoliating product on your face, in a circular motion, for 30 seconds.

Repeat this 1-2 times a week.

MOISTURISE

Make sure your face is clean

Dab moisturiser on your face in small amounts and blend into your skin

Allow for the product to dry before applying makeup

Use the right moisturiser twice a day, in the morning before putting on makeup and evening before bedtime.

A good cream is probably the most important beauty product in your makeup bag.

Choose one carefully suited to your skin's needs, especially when signs of ageing start to appear. Investing in a well formulated product will help you keep your skin happy and youthful for longer.

ANTI-AGEING PRODUCTS

Looking after your skin should be an essential part of your daily routine, and this is influenced by your skincare regime.

If you’re lucky enough not to experience any signs of ageing yet, your skin is fully capable of repairing the collagen itself and has an excellent turnover rate. You can sit back and enjoy your youthful, radiant skin, but make sure to protect and maintain it.

Naturally, life takes its toll on your skin, so you might need some help with boosting your skin's collagen and elastin production. This is when you should start looking at anti-ageing products.

For oily and combination skin, it’s best to pick a water-based formula as most creams will contain oils and are made for dry skin.

Have a look at our blog post which expands on this topic, and look out for some great tips on how to keep your skin healthy!

TAKE BETTER CARE OF YOUR SKIN

Regardless of your skin type, or if you have any visible signs of ageing, it's important to take better care of your skin. You've heard these points before, but we can't stress how important they all are.

Firstly, aim to be more active! The recommendations are to do at least 150 minutes (2 ½ hours) of moderate exercise over the course of a week. There are numerous anti-ageing benefits brought about by exercise, so aim to do at least 30 minutes of activity 5 days a week.

Secondly, make sure you get enough rest and stop worrying! Yes, this means getting 8 hours of sleep every night. Go to bed a little earlier and take some time out to unwind and reduce stress. Your body will thank you later.

Finally, alcohol and cigarettes play a massive part in your skins ageing process. On top of the excess calories, alcohol also dehydrates your skin. As for cigarettes, stub out your excuses and take the first step to younger, radiant skin as well as a healthier you!

This is most probably the best time of the year as it's Stoptober. What else are you waiting for?

CONCLUSION

We hope the infographic has helped to clear up any confusion about the different skin types. Finding out your skin type can be tricky, but it's very important as this will limited the type of products you can use.

Before purchasing any beauty products be sure to read the label carefully. Check for any ingredients that may aggravate your skin, and look for ingredients that will help improve it. Especially if you have dry or oily skin.